81-1273.

Legislative findings.

The Legislature finds and declares:

(1) That the availability of business development services at various geographic locations throughout the state would result in the retention, expansion, and diversification of existing businesses and the creation of new businesses;

(2) That the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska may authorize the Nebraska Business Development Center as a department of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The Nebraska Business Development Center, if authorized under this section, may provide business development services through a network of small business development centers at: (a) Chadron State College, Peru State College, and Wayne State College, if authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges; and (b) the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, if authorized by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska;

(3) That business development services may be augmented through specialized research and technical assistance services; and

(4) That the Existing Business Assistance Division of the Department of Economic Development shall coordinate, administer, and support the delivery of such services.